Mariachi founder taken to court by mom of ousted child

CALEXICO — The mother of a girl ousted from Mariachi Cascabel has taken Lillian Contreras, founder and director of the children's mariachi, to small claims court.

Contreras said she will pay the woman and hopes the matter can be settled quickly.

The woman, who declined to be named, said she has not yet received a check.

At issue is the mariachi suits the mini-mariachis' parents have to purchase for the children's upcoming European trip.

According to Contreras, the woman who sued had paid $247 to Contreras toward the purchase of her daughter's "gala" suit.

That suit, priced at $425 by a Mexicali tailor, is the more expensive of the two suits the mariachis will be taking to Europe. The other suit costs $100.After the girl was removed from the group because she missed practices and was unable to pay for private lessons, Contreras kept the suit so another child could use it.

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The girl's mother never was paid for the suit and took Contreras to court.